ISO 17761-2015 PDF

Full title and description

Space environment (natural and artificial) — Model of high energy radiation at low altitudes (300 km to 600 km). This International Standard specifies a model to estimate fluxes of energetic charged particles (dominantly protons) at low Earth altitudes for use in spacecraft design, instrumentation assessment and astronaut radiation evaluation.

Abstract

ISO 17761:2015 describes the fluxes of charged particles for near‑Earth space based on data from the PAMELA experiment. It provides a model to calculate proton fluxes above about 100 MeV up to the geomagnetic cut‑off rigidity for low altitudes (approximately 300 km to 600 km) to support assessment of the effects of energetic charged particles on spacecraft systems and crew.

General information

• Status: Published (confirmed in ISO review cycle).
• Publication date: November 2015 (published 2015-11-10 in catalogs).
• Publisher: International Organization for Standardization (ISO).
• ICS / categories: 49.140 (Space systems and operations).
• Edition / version: Edition 1 (2015).
• Number of pages: 6.

Scope

Provides a parametrized model for high‑energy charged‑particle fluxes at low Earth altitudes between about 300 km and 600 km. The standard is intended to be used to calculate fluxes of protons with energies greater than ~100 MeV up to the geomagnetic cut‑off rigidity, and to support engineering and safety assessments for spacecraft instrumentation and human spaceflight. The model in ISO 17761 is derived from in‑orbit measurements (notably PAMELA) and is targeted at near‑Earth orbital regimes where trapped and quasi‑trapped energetic particles influence system performance.

Key topics and requirements

• Altitude range target: nominally 300 km to 600 km.
• Particle species and energy range: model primarily for protons with energies above ~100 MeV (up to geomagnetic cut‑off rigidity).
• Primary data basis: model parameters derived from satellite measurements (PAMELA experiment data are cited as a basis in the standard).
• Applications: radiation impact calculations for spacecraft electronics, detectors and crew; inputs for shielding and mission planning analyses.
• Compatibility: intended to be used alongside geomagnetic and cosmic‑ray reference models (geomagnetic cut‑off and GCR/SEP models) when performing comprehensive space environment assessments.

Typical use and users

Primarily used by spacecraft designers, space environment analysts, mission planners, instrument developers and human spaceflight safety engineers who need a compact model of energetic charged‑particle fluxes at low orbital altitudes for shielding design, component hardening, dosimetry estimates and risk assessment. Researchers and national space agencies may also reference the standard when comparing measurement‑derived models and mission data.

Related standards

ISO 17761 is part of the ISO suite of space environment standards and is commonly used together with other ISO space environment documents such as ISO 15390 (Galactic cosmic ray model) and ISO 16695 (Geomagnetic reference models). Other ISO documents covering solar energetic particle fluences, upper atmosphere and material test simulation are also relevant when building a complete space environment assessment.

Keywords

space environment, radiation model, high‑energy protons, low Earth orbit, PAMELA, geomagnetic cut‑off, spacecraft radiation, dosimetry, space systems (ICS 49.140).

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: ISO 17761:2015 is an International Standard that specifies a model of high‑energy charged‑particle radiation at low Earth altitudes (about 300–600 km) for engineering and safety assessments.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers a parametrized model to calculate proton fluxes above roughly 100 MeV up to the geomagnetic cut‑off rigidity at low orbital altitudes; the model is based on in‑orbit experimental data (notably PAMELA) and is intended to support radiation effect analyses on spacecraft systems and astronauts.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Spacecraft/system designers, radiation and reliability engineers, mission planners, instrument teams, human spaceflight safety specialists and researchers performing environment and shielding analyses.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: ISO 17761 was published in November 2015 and is listed as a published (confirmed) International Standard; users should check ISO review notes or the ISO catalogue for any revision or withdrawal notices before relying on it for new compliance requirements.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: It is part of the broader ISO "Space environment (natural and artificial)" family of standards (other relevant ISO documents include models for galactic cosmic rays, geomagnetic reference models and solar energetic particle guidance). These documents are typically used together for comprehensive space environment assessments.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: High‑energy radiation, proton flux, low Earth orbit, PAMELA, geomagnetic cut‑off, spacecraft radiation effects, dosimetry, space environment (ICS 49.140).